This forest type
is restricted to the rain shadow regions in Idukki and Palakkad districts. The
species are mostly xerophytic with short bole and low branching. The canopy is
wide open and the canopy level differentiation is not distinct. The hardwood
trees, thorny shrubs and climbers are characteristic features of the forest
type. The undergrowth is furnished with some herbaceous forms during monsoons
and remains exposed for the rest of the time.The major species representing the
forest type are Acacia spp., Albizia amara, Atalantia monophylla, Capparis
spp., Caralluma spp., Carissa carandas, Ceropegia juncea, Cordia spp.,
Dichrostachys cinerea, Diospyros cordifolia, Euphorbia spp., Grewia spp.,
Helixanthera spp., Opuntia spp., Pergularia daemia, Pisonia aculeata,
Pleiospermium alatum, Prosopis juliflora, Strychnos potatorum, Ziziphus
spp., etc.